A Los Angeles jury on Friday ruled that a former music publisher of rapper Eminem isn't entitled to a higher royalty rate for digital downloads than it collects from sales of CDs or records.

The lawsuit, brought against Aftermath Records by F.B.T. Productions LLC, mirrored earlier cases that allege that a paid digital download constitutes a "license" rather than a traditional sale. Most recording contracts pay artists 50% of income from licenses -- like use in a TV commercial or movie -- as opposed to the generally...